Public Invited to Participate in Lighting Ceremony at Unisphere on Friday, Feb. 5 to Build Awareness of Heart Disease

Flushing, New York, January 29, 2010 --- New York Hospital Queens is celebrating February as National Heart Month in a big way – by lighting one of New York’s most well known landmarks a bright red for heart health.

The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park will be lit red at dusk on Friday, February 5, and will glow red throughout the month, as a visible reminder of healthy hearts and heart disease, the number one killer of people in our community.

Queens leaders, including Estelle Cooper, Assistant Borough Commissioner for the Parks Department, New York State Assemblywoman Grace Meng, State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky and others will participate in the lighting, as well as NYHQ physicians and staff members. The public is invited to attend and be part of the “Heart Month Kick-Off Team Photo” for local media. Participants will also receive healthy heart information and fun gifts.

"I am proud to join New York Hospital Queens to help raise awareness by making the Unisphere glow red," said Senator Stavisky. "Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, and is a leading cause of disability in women. It can affect women of any age, and it is often preventable with simple changes to diet and exercise. I am adding my voice today so that tomorrow heart disease can be a thing of the past."

Assemblywoman Meng said the event is very significant to her. "As a wife, mom and daughter, I am excited to join NYHQ for the lighting of our Unisphere. This is one big step closer to eliminating heart disease and strokes, keeping our hearts healthy and saving thousands of lives."

Participants will begin gathering at 4:30 p.m. on Friday at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and the switch will be flipped at sundown (estimated to be 5:17 p.m.).

It is recommended that participants coming to the Unisphere lighting, use the ice skating rink parking area, next to the Queens Museum.

New York Hospital Queens is a member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and is affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University.